In this episode, John and Kathia welcome Kristy Bryant, EMS Director for Yancey County. Kristy shares her personal journey from the field into administration, shaped in large part by leading through the height of COVID. She reflects on the challenges of decision-making, leadership growth, and balancing operational demands during unprecedented times. The conversation also explores her role in navigating the response to Hurricane Helene and the lessons learned from managing large-scale emergencies. Together, they highlight resilience, adaptability, and the realities of stepping into leadership when the stakes are at their highest; all while keeping a strong work/life balance.

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In this episode of the EMS Wizard Podcast, John and Terence explore how the word help carries very different meanings across the EMS profession, from the street to the administrative office. They discuss how field providers often view help as immediate, hands-on support, while managers and leaders may define help through systems, policies, and long-term solutions. The conversation highlights how these differing perspectives can create disconnects if leaders are not intentional in how they communicate and respond. John and Terence emphasize that effective EMS leadership requires understanding both viewpoints and knowing when to step in directly versus when to build structure that supports crews over time. They reflect on how misaligned expectations around help can impact trust, morale, and organizational culture. Ultimately, the episode challenges leaders at every level to rethink what help really looks like in their role and how their actions are perceived by those they lead.

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In this episode of the EMS Wizard Podcast, John and Terence welcome Steve Wirth, founding partner of Page, Wolfberg & Wirth, for a conversation centered on the future of EMS and the growing importance of mentorship in the profession. The discussion explores how the field is evolving and why developing strong, supportive leaders is essential for navigating today’s challenges. Steve shares how intentional mentorship can elevate providers, strengthen teams, and help guide new professionals through an increasingly complex EMS landscape. John and Terence also highlight how leaders influence others, often without realizing it, and how everyday actions can shape the learning experiences of those coming up behind them. The trio emphasizes the need for leaders to be aware of the example they set and the pathways they create for others. Steve reflects on the responsibility seasoned professionals have to coach, guide, and uplift the next generation, ensuring EMS continues to grow with purpose and integrity. This episode offers practical insight into how mentorship can transform both individuals and organizations, ultimately strengthening the EMS profession as a whole.

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In this episode of the EMS Wizard Podcast, John, Terry, and Walter sit down with Robby Milton, Deputy Director of Support Services with Iredell County, to talk about leadership growth, adapting to change, and the evolving landscape of EMS management.

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In this episode, we explore the idea of “reading the room you’re not in” and how situational awareness extends beyond patient care into leadership and management. We compare the skill sets of paramedics and managers, where they overlap, where they differ, and whether being good in one role prepares you for success in the other.

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In this episode we explore the timely and sometimes controversial question: does AI have a place in EMS narrative writing? As tools like ChatGPT become more accessible to EMS professionals, we examine how artificial intelligence could improve efficiency and reduce documentation fatigue, while also discussing the risks of inaccuracy, legal implications, and ethical concerns. We break down the pros and cons, emphasizing that AI is a tool, not a replacement, and that medics must remain the authors and stewards of their patient care records. Tune in for practical guidance, real-world insight, and a thoughtful conversation about how technology may shape the future of EMS documentation.

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In this special EMS Week 2025 episode, hosts John, Terry, and Kathia come together to celebrate the individuals, teams, and institutions that define the heart of emergency medical services. The conversation begins with a look back at the origins of EMS Week, first recognized in 1974 under President Gerald Ford, and how it has grown into a national moment of reflection, gratitude, and recognition. This year’s theme, “We Care. For Everyone.” sets the tone as the hosts explore the evolution of the profession and the path forward for EMS leaders, providers, and educators alike.

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The guests have infiltrated the show and brought an innocent bystander in the form of Surry County EMS Director, Eric Southern. The discussion will take you through growing pains of a rural EMS system and into the modern identity of the profession as well strategies of the ongoing burnout problem.

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